Kiera slumped back in her chair. Her book was forgotten as it lay abandoned on her lap, spread over her blanket-covered lap as she longingly stared out the window. Snow had fallen again, covering the earth in an ever-thickening shroud. Only the soft crackle of the modest fire in her hearth interrupted the strange stillness that held the air. Boredom ate at her as her fingers twitched to find some productive task to erase the monotony of the past two days.
Two days of being pampered and catered to by Alessi left her irritable. Her temper frayed as she waged an ever-so-polite war with the warlord prince who had decided she would be his special charge. At one point Kiera was certain he would have attempted to spoon-feed her if she hadn't threatened to bite his fingers off. A statement she eased off of when the one time she dared step outside of her secluded room and watched the reaction of the males not in her first circle.
The slow glazing over of eyes happened as she walked past them in the hallways. Males who had always been unfailingly polite to her suddenly looked at her with the hungry eyes of a predator. Pride kept Kiera focused on her self-imposed task; with her lunch tray determinedly clasped in her hands. The fact that Alessi prowled only a pace behind her provided enough courage that she didn't immediately retreat. That one experience was enough to keep her in her room with Alessi and his determination to keep her comfortable.
The only reason she was alone now was that she had thrown a pillow at him and declared his breathing too loud. She had promised to stay put and read the book that currently threatened to slide off her lap. The romance story with its steamy bits was not enough to distract her from the boredom that came with doing absolutely nothing for nearly seventy-two hours. Resigned she poured another cup of the tea prepared to help with the cramps that tore at her lower back and stomach. The faint tendrils of steam promised the drink would be at the perfect temperature for sipping- still hot but not so much as it would burn her mouth.
Irritation filled her at the fact the drink was perfectly prepared and thoughtfully wrapped in a warming spell. Prince Gerodi shouldn't be so perfectly patient, attentive, and considerate of her needs. Kiera knew she was being irrational but she didn't want to like the male any more than she already did; didn't want to find him more attractive, more well everything than what she had observed over the past few months since her abduction.
A soft knock on her door startled the annoyed Queen. Her slight jerk sent the book toppling to the floor with a thunk and her instinctive reach for it splashed the hot tea over the back of her hand earning a louder curse. Another knock followed as she attempted to mop up the spilled tea with the edge of her blanket.
"Come in.. damn it.." The back of her hand stung from the heat, the book was dampened on the edges, and bending down to reach it felt like an impossible task. Tears of frustration welled up in her eyes as she slammed the cup down on the table. Just one more day until she could start using craft safely. On any other day the spill and dropped book could be eased away with the slight application of her inner strength but today the task and mess seemed impossible to complete.
"Don't sound so excited to see me." Luca's voice was too cheery. A sharp contrast to the welling self-pity that Kiera wallowed in, a contrast that only raised the emotions that writhed around in her mind. The glare she leveled at her cousin would have warned off most other men but Luca seemed unimpressed at the threat of her wrath.
"Help me with this would you please Luca?" Kiera didn't bother to reply to his droll greeting. She shifted the damp blanket off her lap, sending her book to the ground and losing her place in it. Annoyance and frustration with an issue that craft could easily solve only added to her bad humor. Her cousin, ever sympathetic to the witch's plight, knelt to collect her book before taking the blanket from her.
"Damn, lost my place." Her chin tipped up as she tapped the back of her head against her chair. "Not that it mattered, it lost my interest." Kiera closed her eyes, breathing slowly, as she internally counted to ten. Frustration and discomfort were no reasons to snap at her cousin or those around her. Kiera knew exactly why she was upset, that her blatant vulnerability struck a cord in her that prompted her to strike first before she could be attacked.
"Romance not doing it for you today huh?" Luca took a look at the book before handing it back to her. "The Priestess's Warlord huh? The cover looks promising." Her snort as she placed a hand over the said cover answered the unspoken question. "Not exactly a bodice ripper? No? A boring slow burn? or just lacking any spice?" Her cousin continued until the faint twitching of her lips turned to a full-on smile and short little laugh.
"The cover oversells it." Her nose wrinkled as she lost interest when the topic of rings of obedience came up in the text. The idea of a male willingly slipping the control device over his organ to make his lover feel safer? Kiera wasn't certain how she felt about the whole idea of using a tool that controlled those around her with pain. The rebels around her, Alessi, Illario, and Luca all were unrestrained and she could not envision asking any of them to put that level of control in her hands.
"Well, it was written during the height of Lady SaDiablo's reign." Luca took the book from her tossing it towards the hearth letting the flames eat away at the trashy novel and its worn pages. "There now, right where that belongs." Dusting his hands off Luca turned towards his cousin.
"Well show me how you really feel" Kiera snorted as she folded her hands back in her lap. Her slipped foot dangled in the air, swaying as boredom threatened to drive her to madness. She despised being idle, of being useless, after her time with the rebellion had kept her busy and kept her mind active. Idleness was a vice of the aristocracy and those were things that needed to be stamped out if she was going to be accepted by these people as more than just Lady Domani.
"Too subtle you think?" Luca grinned before offering her his hand. "Come on, you look ready to itch out of your skin." Luca clasped her hand along the crook of his arm, practically pulling her from her chair.
"I don't think Prince Gerodi..." Kiera's protest trailed off as her cousin touched his fingers to his lips. The mischief in his eyes was enough to perk her curiosity. "Fine, but if he decides to have a hissy fit, I will tell him it was all your idea." Kiera half laughed as she let him partially drag her out of the room.
"What the good Prince doesn't know won't hurt us." Luca's voice was cheerful as he led her into the hallway. "Anyways I have it on good authority that the stable cat had the cutest kittens and I know how much you like small fluffy things." The chatter helped ease her nerves as they walked along the empty hall. A few of the female staff moved along with their assigned duties but none of the male guards or members of government lounged or even traversed along the hallway near her room.
"Seems oddly empty today. Is council meeting or..?" Kiera asked the question without thought.
"Prince Gerodi wasn't exactly comfortable leaving you unprotected with other males around so.." Luca motioned to the mostly empty hallway. Kiera sighed and muttered something under her breath that vaguely sounded like overbearing and a pain in the ass.
"You promised me kittens, not pissy male posturing." Kiera shored up her conflicting emotions about Alessi pushing the other males away from where she was housed. Irritation that he thought her so feeble that she couldn't manage to be around others warred with some other unnamed emotion that stirred in this signal that he cared for her safety at the very least. The rest of the way to the stables appeared uneventful outside of a few of the young warlords serving as stable boys and groundkeepers keeping an uneasy distance from her. With each step, the thump of her empty jewel against her chest reminded her that it wasn't her they were afraid of but the Warlord Prince who seemed to alternate between tolerance and possession.
The kittens were cute enough and the momma cat was bribed with scratches and a small piece of stolen bacon snatched on the way out. Cuddling small cute things was the balm she needed over poorly written propaganda couched as romance. Each of the kittens and their tiny little claws, and disjointed swats further eased away her foul temper. At least until a cough behind her pulled her from her small escape. Of course, it would be Illario who caught her having a small adventure without Alessi's permission. Her mouth pulled into a frown as she rocked back on her heels, attempting to brush the combination of fur and straw off her clothing.
"Caught me." Kiera sighed as she rose, ready to return to the house and her suite. The break from the tedium of rest ended with Illario's appearance.
"I did. Though I do bring news. You and a select choice of guards are scheduled to meet the leaders of the closest landen village tomorrow. Figured you would be up to that much." Illario reached forward and plucked a bit of straw from the escaped strands of her hair.
"I will be. Another day of doing nothing would drive me to outright rebellion I fear." Kiera grinned at the older man. The ring on his hand told her that he had experience with pissy females on their moontimes. The faint smile was one of understanding as Luca helped her back onto her feet.
"He isn't too experienced with caring for witches during this time." Illario felt compelled to explain Alessi's behavior over the past few days. The fact that his nephew had spent the time guarding and caring for the witch was not lost on anyone, even as they could feel his temper fraying the close he got to a rut. Self-control and force of will seemed to be the only things keeping the general from descending into that temporary madness unique to his caste.
"Prince Gerodi was perfectly within his rights as Master of my Guard and performed his duty towards me without flaw." Kiera felt the need to defend Alessi from judgment; even if she was irritated at being wrapped in proverbial wool and cloistered away. Her hands clasped in front of her hips, fingers tangled together as she fought back the irrational anger she felt on hearing any critique of her Warlord Prince. The possessive thought was another thing that shook her calm center as she inwardly puzzled out just when he had become hers.
"No insult meant Lady." Illario's polite bow took some of the edge off her anger. Kiera took another slow breath as she forced a smile to her lips. A subtle signal that whatever perceived slight occurred was forgiven. Luca's nervous silence weighed at the back of her thoughts as he waited through the exchanged banter.
"I should return to my room, before said Warlord Prince realizes I have run off and put myself in the dangerous path of tiny feline terror" Kiera teased as she gave a slight pet along the velvet fur of the tiny kitten. Its milk-sated purrs and paws kneading into the empty air brought another tender smile to her lips. Some things were too innocent for the world they lived in. Small innocent things that made all the work and bowing worth it if they could make their territory safer for them.
The evening crept by without even the lackluster entertainment of the now burned book and lack of company. Boredom sent her to bed earlier than her normal habit. Restless she woke before the sun and dressed, then changed her clothing a few more times, restyled her hair, and finally gave up with the unruly curls bound up in another snood made of simple netting and no other adornments.
The prolonged absence of Alessi only left her on further edge as she left her room that morning. It didn't matter that Illario accompanied her through the house and gave her the briefing as their mounts waited. Or that Luca was sipping the still steaming remains of his morning cup of coffee. The chill of the air stung her cheeks and froze her breath before she reflexively wrapped herself in a warming spell to ease the worst of the cold.
"Isn't that..?"
"My horse? Yes" Alessi's voice came from behind her ear. Kiera turned startling the nearest horse so that the bay mare threw her head up with an alarmed snort. Her fingers tightened on the reins to hold the animal in place. For a brief moment, her heart raced in more than surprise at Alessi's sudden appearance.
"Oh.." Kiera struggled to find a response that felt somewhat intelligent. " Are you gracing us with your presence Prince Gerodi or do other duties call?" Apologetically she stroked along the nose of her mare. The animal snuffled before nudging against her palms granting silent forgiveness.
"Don't sound too excited little queen. Where else should the Master of your guard be when going to a possibly hostile village?" Alessi's hands were too warm against her waist as he partially lifted her onto the saddle, combing strength with craft to place her safely on her mount. "To answer your question yes, I am coming with you."
Kiera shot a confused glance at Luca, who only shrugged in reply. Carefully she gathered her reigns and adjusted her skirt to fall just so on the side saddle; giving herself something to do besides look at Alessi or confront her own emotions. That minute filled she finally looked up at Alessi, wrinkling her nose at the smug grin that just barely hinted on his lips.
"If you are ready, Lady Domani." Alessi's voice remained droll as he nudged his horse forward. Kiera took the unspoken signal to ride just slightly behind Alessi while the three other guards fanned around her with her cousin directly to her right. The first few hours passed in a strange tense silence between the party; as if each person were waiting to gauge the temperature between the warlord prince and queen.
Kiera broke first, urging her horse to come abreast of Alessi's. The mare's ears flattened as she tugged at the reigns as she fought against being held even with Alessi's gelding. Kiera adjusted her seat, holding the reigns firmly enough to keep the mare in pace despite the subtle battle as her mare struggled with her want to assert her place as lead animal.
"How far is this village?" Kiera broke the silence through gritted teeth as she fought to hold the mare back. Internally she was cursing the horse as the leather reigns dug indents into the thin wool gloves she wore. A jolted step as the mare attempted to trot forward only to reign back had Kiera's teeth clicking together.
"Longer than you would like, but shorter than your first march." Alessi's vague answer earned him a glare from Kiera before another jostling step from her mount earned an audible curse from the beleaguered queen. Alessi just sighed as he watched the strained battle between Kiera and the horse.
"I would find the only aristo that cannot ride." His soft chuckle took most of the sting out of his words. Kiera would have glared at him but she was too busy trying to keep her butt planted against the saddle and keep the mare from attempting to race Alessi's mount.
"Damn four-legged Harpy.." Kiera hissed as the mare jerked her head again ripping the reigns from her. "And for your information Prince, I can ride. You just happened to have given me a horse straight from the bowels of hell." Kiera's voice came out sharper than intended as stress got the better of her. Focused on trying to avoid the embarrassing fate of falling off the horse in front of her entire retinue she missed Alessi's eye roll and bemused snort.
"Of course Lady." Alessi signaled a stop. Something that caught Kiera by surprise since it was nowhere near lunchtime, and there was nothing but snow-covered fields and thickets in sight. Once they were stopped and dismounted Alessi wordlessly took the reigns from the mare and handed them off to one of the guards to tie the lead to their saddle.
"Up you go, Gattina. It would reflect poorly on me if I allowed my queen to break her neck under my watch." Alessi motioned to his mount. Kiera looked between her suddenly docile mare, provocative gelding, and Alessi.
"I don't think.." Her words cut off with a squeal of indignation as Alessi hoisted her up and slung her over the bow of his saddle before swinging up behind her. Kiera stiffened as his arms came around her to lift the reigns, resisting slightly as he freed one hand to push against her chest encouraging her to lean back against him.
"Then it is a good thing you are pretty." The words were almost teasing. Annoyed Kiera turned her head enough to glare up at the warlord prince only to catch his grin. "There, now I have rescued you from the harpy we can make up some time to get there before sunset." His free arm curled tighter about her waist as he urged his horse into a ground-eating trot.
"Glad I can provide some use for you then" Kiera groused before settling in for the distanced ride. The remainder of the journey, while long, was at least uneventful now that she wasn't in danger of being carted off by an ill-mannered horse. Despite Alessi's grouse at making it nearly by evening, they reached the village just past mid-afternoon. Kiera judged it somewhere past lunch by her stomach's growling as the first outlying crofts appeared. Small fenced plots with a few curly-haired goats, geese, and tough draft horses determined to dig through the thin layer of snow to find what remained of the winter dormant grass.
The dull clop of hooves turned louder as the snow-covered road turned to clean swept cobblestone streets. A few children, bundled up in felted wool coats, played in the streets dodging tossed snowballs between lopsided snowmen. Adults worked at either their trades or were busily clearing the sidewalks in front of their homes or shops. Clean, organized, and bustling the village was counter to every prejudiced expectation she had been raised with towards the landens.
Alessi stopped his horse when they reached what must have been the center of the village. A stone courtyard with a large fountain that served as the main well for the citizens was flanked on all sides by tall skinny wood and stone buildings. Smoke lazily curled out from the peak of chimneys. Outside of one building stood a trio of older men; a stark reminder that landens were not inherently matriarchal.
Her guards dismounted in turn, forming a semi-circle around herself and Alessi before they joined them on the ground. Once she was on the ground Alessi stepped forward first to greet the village elders, leaving Luca at her side. Nervously Kiera twisted her hands around the edge of her coat. The woven wool gave slightly beneath the press of her fingers before she smoothed the material in an attempt to push away the wrinkles and her nervousness.
"Easy there piccola, their approval isn't needed and it was your idea to include them in decisions," Luca whispered before pushing her forward at Alessi's outstretched hand. Whatever words had been exchanged between the four men left a lingering sense of tension in the air. Despite the fluttering and turning of her stomach Kiera forced a smile to her lips, doing her best to look approachable and confident.
"Lady Domani, I would like to introduce the village elders for Narife. As I have explained to them, you will be taking rule of this district and eventually the whole territory of Hayll." His confidence in their success surprised Kiera to the point where she had to fight to keep from looking at him to see if he was joking.
"An honor to meet you. " Kiera inclined her head in respect to the three men. A quick read of their expressions told her they were not impressed with her. Perhaps it was her youth, or the rose jewel that hung upon her neck, or the fact that the past queens had all been a different sort of puppet, they looked through her and straight to Alessi, an understandable stance since the Warlord Prince and his forces had been ruling the area for several years now.
"You as well Lady Domani. Our humble village is happy to host your visit." None offered her their names, and Kiera wondered if it was disrespect or some landen superstition keeping them from sharing their names with strange witches. Determined to keep the visit positive, she pretended not to notice the lack of mutual introductions.
"It is very lovely in the snow, however, I don't think we traveled this entire way to speak of empty pleasantries gentlemen." Her hands clasped before her, fingers twisted and toyed over the bracelet with her yellow jewel. Her head remained lifted and her smile was firmly kept in place. The gentle pressure of Alessi's hand behind her upper arm bolstered her confidence just slightly more. "Why don't we head inside where it is warmer and discuss the plans for spring and blessings."
"Of course Lady." The men turned motioning towards the closed doors to the building. Kiera hesitated before Alessi stepped forward almost pushing her along until she took the steps needed to remain ahead of the men. A chill teased the exposed flesh of her face as the heating spell wrapped around her was exchanged for a shield that encircled the both of them. The three elders filed in directly behind her and Alessi then followed half of her retinue, leaving the other half to mind their mounts and keep watch for any trouble.
Once settled at the council table, a rectangular affair that had the landen elders on one side, and the Blood leaders on the other. Kiera sat sandwiched between Alessi and Luca. One of them was there for a governing perspective and the other focused on both her safety and comfort. Luca accepted the cup of steaming tea meant for her, pausing only long enough to pass a wave of craft over the refreshment to test for contamination.
Kiera coughed softly at the extended silence as the elders stared down at her, waiting for whatever silly demands came from what they perceived to be a child queen. Alessi's fingers drummed against the wooden table, waiting impatiently as the small comfits of food and drink were doled out in careful rations between those seated.
"Spring will be here in a few months. Since, currently, I am the only queen for the district, our goal is to discuss what fields need the queen's blessing the most this Spring and what timing we need to focus on to meet your plans of sowing seeds." She took a measured sip of the tea to keep from croaking at her nervousness about performing her first true act as queen of their district.
"Are there not blood villages that need your gifts Lady Domani?" The question came from the elder seated across the table to her right. His features were weathered, with sunken cheeks and a scar that bisected over the left side of his face, tugging his eyelid downward. His hair was more silver than black and his hands were covered in thick yellowed callouses speaking of his life spent doing manual labor.
"There are, sir..." She paused waiting for him to offer his name; finally annoyed enough to start subtly pointing out their rudeness.
"Caelus Durus." The reluctant reply earned a faint smile from the queen before she continued.
"Councilman Durus, there are many blood villages in need. To heal our corner of Hayll we have determined to spread the blessing around the villages closest to the court's physical residence and those most affected by the fighting and past neglect." Kiera kept her speech paced, forcing herself to speak calmly where the words wanted to race from her lips.
"So by proximity, we have been selected to receive your so-called blessing." The middle councilman's voice was hard, bitter, and angry without having to raise the volume of his voice. "and no doubt this blessing will require extra contributions to your court." The accusation rang heavily and had Alessi's hand tightening over the handle of his teacup at the perceived insult to his queen.
"That is not our intention at all." Kiera placed her fingers against the back of Alessi's wrist in an attempt to soothe the temper she could feel rising in the warlord prince. Their goal teetered already on a knife's edge towards failure, Alessi losing his temper and proving the rulers of the blood could not be trusted would only further turn the landens against them when peace is what Hayll needed to start healing.
"Yes we will expect tithe but the amount will be similar if not less than what it has been under past rulers." Kiera continued calmly, refusing to let the councilman bait her into a show of temper. Mentally she replaced the man's sun-spotted skin with the smooth brown of her father. Any scathing words couldn't be worse than his speeches about her dimwitted ideals, head stuck in dreaming, and overall uselessness to their family despite her caste.
"Overall the goal is to improve the yields of your harvest and start spreading the healing of the damaged land as well as relations between our people." Kiera reiterated before looking up at Alessi. "Prince Gerodi has brought the contract details drawn up by the steward of my court. The figures are based on the average of your leanest years and should be considered fair compensation. In return, we will offer places for your people to set up stalls in our city and village markets as desired."
Alessi produced the paperwork. Written in a neat hand and thoughtfully composed the details of the contract were laid out in simple and concise language. Each elder took a turn looking over the terms and conditions. From there negotiations truly began and where Kiera fell back into silence; allowing Alessi to lead the way in negotiations. Her silence didn't mean she wasn't listening or learning.
Kiera watched the interplay between the three men as the complex give-and-take commenced. A necessary ritual that would take hours. A simple dinner of stewed goat over pearled couscous broke up the affair and announced the time. The contract had been lined over in some places and others loose leaves of paper produced by the elders were stuck in hastily marked addendums.
Finally, as the last fingers of sunlight turned violet in the sky they reached a tentative agreement. Kiera could not say which party had come out ahead, but as both seemed displeased with the terms she could only assume it was a fair agreement. A yawn escaped her as she pushed the handle of her spoon around the rim of her empty bowl as the last bits of the negotiated items were jotted down.
"Is there an inn in town? We will need accommodations overnight." Alessi gave a side glance at Kiera. The weight of his gaze had her squirming in her seat, or perhaps it was the fact her behind had gone numb at least two hours prior. Her bladder was also screaming at her but she hadn't dared break the conversation of trade earlier.
"Yes, The Broken Horn Inn I think has enough space to host all of you." Kiera perked at the idea of sleeping in a real bed instead of the rough cold camp she had expected when it became clear the sun would be well on its way to setting before they had finished the negotiations.
"We look forward to working with you and your court, Prince. Lady" As one the elders stood up. Alessi and Luca rose to their feet with Kiera trailing behind. The men reached out their hands in their custom of shaking hands at a completed deal.
"As do we. I will have a courier deliver the finalized contract within the week." Smoothly Alessi returned the gesture leaving Kiera to uncertainly follow the custom as they concluded business and everyone looked forward to finding their beds for the night.
"It was a pleasure to meet all of you. I look forward to visiting in the future." Kiera muttered before allowing Alessi to lead her from the room. Once outside of the building, Kiera took a deep greedy breath of the cold air and on exhale released the tension that had built up inside of her.
"Now to get our rooms at that inn and hope the beds aren't too lumpy." Luca interrupted before Alessi could say anything. His hand lifted to point to a wood sign, carved and painted to look like a chipped ram's horn. The exterior was tidy enough despite the moss threatening to grow on the mortar between the stones of the facade. Nothing that indicated the inn would be less than satisfactory and overall the condition gave Keira hope of a good night's sleep.
For once this hope came true as they received the room assignments. Two rooms to share between the five of them with Luca and Kiera sharing a room and Alessi and the guardsmen sharing the other. Without protest, Kiera removed her stockings and shoes before curling up on the bed and snuggling against Luca in familiar comfort. Sleep claimed her with the steady even pace of her cousin's breath as he sank into slumber.
Kiera woke earlier than normal as the unfamiliar creaks, groans, and rhythms of life within the boarding house intruded on her light sleep. The morning was grudgingly accepted as the inevitable rising of the sun turned the sky from black to a colorless gray in those first muted hints of light. The heavy stomp of feet down the hallway, the muffled sounds of laughter from the main room below, and the sound of metal horse tack, wagon wheels, and grunts as the town started to come to life only further pushed her from the restless sleep that had plagued her the entire night. It occurred to her, with no small amount of irony, that she had slept deeper on her sad pallet in Alessi's tent than she had on a comfortable bed shared with her cousin.
The soft rasping snore of her cousin only earned a disgusted look from the Queen as she slipped from the bed to pull her shoes and outerwear back on. A touch of craft smoothed out her wrinkled clothing and provided a rough comb as she attempted to at least braid her hair to look tidy. Her nose twitched at the faint hint of fresh coffee in the air, and the homey scent of freshly baked bread. Her stomach growled and pinched making her aware that she had eaten sparingly yesterday. Dressed, hungry, and restless she gave her cousin another envious look as he snored on.
~Lady?~ The sudden touch of Alessi's voice in her mind nearly pulled an audible gasp from her. He sounded as awake as she was at least. Though, Kiera, had a feeling that he was one of those disgustingly efficient morning people that just woke up and were ready to tackle the day.
~ I'm awake, Prince.~ Her tone was just barely on the nice side of irritable. She kept looking between her cousin and the door. Kiera was hungry, there was bound to be breakfast below, and they were landen. Even her Rose would be plenty to protect herself in the common room; at least that was what she tried to rationalize as an acceptable reason to leave the room without her escorts.
Then she felt him, just outside her door. No longer looming and ominous; the dark well of his being was comforting and familiar. No longer the Warlord Prince of the rebellion, or Witchslayer, he was simply Alessi, and that wasn't as distressing as it should be; not by any measure. Kiera shook away the musings and tendency to linger in her head as she cracked the door open to verify it was him before slipping silently out of the room and closing it behind her.
"Couldn't sleep?" Alessi sounded bemused as she looked him over. Of course, he was put together perfectly even his longish hair lay smooth and tidy unlike her curls that wanted to escape the crude braid; hair that had tempted her often to cut it off except the curls would be even worse without the weight of longer hair to pull them down.
"Not well. Different noises I suppose." Her stomach growled punctuating her statement. "I have always been a bit of a light sleeper." She tried to ignore Alessi's snort of amused disbelief as she touched her hand against his forearm, allowing him to lead her down the hallway. The tension she was unaware of carrying melted away as they descended the stairs into the carefully organized chaos of the tavern. The tavern was a popular location for breakfast for those up in with the faint crack of dawn. The scent of coffee and fresh bread hinted at why.
"Of course.." Alessi bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. Her insistence on being a light sleeper, while he remembered her sleeping through several interruptions during the night and morning during their initial journey, was bemusing. He refused to think past that she had slept better in his care for any reason outside of exhaustion or that she was just confused about being a light sleeper. Remembering any court manners he had picked up as a young man, Alessi settled her at an empty table, fighting the urge to slap a tight Sapphire shield around her as he sat across from her, signaling the waitress they were ready to order their meals.
Centuries of training kept Alessi from reacting to the curious glances being cast her way by the various landen males around them. Alessi understood that even before the Witchstorm seeing members of the Blood in their small town would have been abnormal. Still, understanding did not blunt the edge of his temper as he watched Kiera shift uncomfortably at the unaccustomed attention. Queens in his experience, were not usually uncomfortable with attention and most had demanded it with their constant games and court entertainment.
"Thank you, for bringing me down for breakfast. Cannibalism is frowned upon, plus I am certain Luca is attached to all his appendages." Kiera broke the tension that lingered in the air with her small joke. A slight quirk of her lips and a teasing upward glance through her eyelashes were more playful than flirting.
"Much longer though..." Her comments trailed off at the uncomfortable scratch of chairs being moved away from them as those in earshot. Thankfully any further actions were belayed by the arrival of their breakfast. A basic porridge made of hulled oats, milk, and honey was the main with thick crusty slices of bread. The main star of the meal though, was the thick mugs filled with steaming black coffee. She barely waited for the waitress to walk away before lifting the mug and taking a quick swallow, hot but not so terribly that it burned.
"I will remind him he is in my debt, for having all his fingers and toes," Alessi replied before taking a bite of the bread. Every bit of the meal had been prepared by hand and without the use of craft. The idea of it baffled him, as every part of their daily living revolved around the small acts they did to bleed off the excess reservoir of their power. It made the simple meal a marvel for those who had to rise early to create it.
He watched as she turned to her meal, eating with the tidy precision trained into the aristo class women. Her table manners were impeccable even if she ate with all the vigor of a ravenous wolf. At the weight of his attention Kiera paused, daintily dabbed the corner of her napkin to her lips, and sat down her spoon. Her hands folded in her lap as she looked at him slightly abashed. Alessi had continued his meal, but at a slower rate as his attention remained focused on those around them instead of the food in front of him.
"Sorry, it is really good." Kiera apologized as she toyed with the soft material of her skirt. Her teeth tugged at her lower lip and for some reason that nervous tick of hers had him fighting the urge to lean forward to press a kiss to her poor abused mouth. Restraint gifted by experience kept him from acting on the impulse. Internally Alessi reminded himself that she was out of bounds. His temper and passions were too volatile right now with his impending rut riding at the edge of his mind. The damn quirk of biology made him want to both possess and be possessed by the object of his obsession.
"Eat, Gattina. Just slow down enough not to choke." The blush that stained her cheeks was endearing along with the three, no five seconds, she made it before picking up her spoon to take another bite of the meal.
"I had wondered if perhaps we could shop the market stalls? Winsol is coming soon and I wanted to get a few gifts." Kiera kept her voice quiet, unpresuming as she prepared for her idea to be shot down. Her nervousness was betrayed by the tension of her fingers along her spoon and the rigid stillness of her posture.
"I don't see why not," Alessi answered slowly as he watched surprise briefly cross her expression before she gave a wan smile of thanks. Her eyes remained downcast and focused on the food in front of her. "Am I such an ogre?" The question escaped him without thought.
"No!" The words came out too emphatic and Kiera sighed at how awkward she made things. "No, not at all Prince. I.." She focused her attention on settling her spoon on the table in front of her. Adjusting it until it lay perfectly centered in front of her bowl. "I am not accustomed to having much say even before.." She trailed off there.
My Abduction, the unspoken words hung between them even louder for their silence. Alessi watched the brief flashes of emotion across her face, in tune with the psychic scents of her moods, and shifted as guilt seemed to overtake any sense of grief. He knew the feeling well enough; guilt that he had escaped unscathed where others were robbed of their freedom, dignity, and lives. Alessi reached a hand out to capture hers to spare the table the constant scuffing of the spoon that she kept adjusting.
"Kiera, you have nothing to feel guilty for." At her surprised glance, his fingers tightened just slightly over her hand. Just enough to reinforce the point. "Nothing. Even without rumors of you being there the Domani family's villa would have fallen. Either to my forces or the landen." Reluctantly he withdrew his hand, waiting for her nod of acceptance. Alessi knew it would take her a while to accept the truth of his words.
Her lips parted to reply only to be cut off at the sound of Luca's awkward stumbling down the stairs. The Prince's normally groomed hair stuck haphazardly around his head while other great swatches were plastered flat. Wide-eyed the man searched the room only visibly relaxing when he spotted Kiera and Alessi together. His hand brushed his hair back and down, trying to smooth it out as he approached.
"Luke" Kiera smiled softly at her cousin. Affection was clear in her expression as she reached out without thought to tap one of the buttons of the Prince's shirt. "You might want to rebutton, you are lopsided." Her hand withdrew with her soft laugh. Alessi ignored the stab of jealousy he felt at the display of affection. Platonic love, but still more affection than anyone else had elicited from her.
"I was worried when you weren't there." Luca's softly hissed admonishment was delivered with only a glance at Alessi. "You scared me." The Prince's hands cupped her face, forcing her to look up at him. Kiera could feel the shaking of his hands as he cupped her face, betraying the calm steadiness of his voice.
"Sorry, you shouldn't have worried. I was with Prince Gerodi the entire time. I would never leave without escort." Her voice fell to a whisper and for those on the outside, it would appear they were a breath from kissing. An illusion that had Alessi fighting a sharp stab of jealousy and possession. As if sensing the internal war the warlord prince waged Luca released her face and sighed as he dropped onto the chair next to hers.
"Well, I do worry. Next time at least shake me awake enough to tell me you haven't been stolen off." He shot her a heavy meaningful look. Kiera sighed and just gave a sharp nod of agreement.
"Prince, I think she understands. Lady Domani is a grown woman." Alessi's voice was harsh. A sharp tone that caused the queen to flinch. Just barely, but enough that he noticed the slight withdrawal. The flinch was enough to force him to take slow steady counting breaths until he was certain his temper was fully under control.
"Lady, I think your cousin and a few guards can manage to get you through your shopping trip. I stayed past what I had planned and am needed back. Leave by midday to make it back before nightfall. I will leave instructions." Alessi shoved away from the table. He needed to leave, caught between patched-together protocol, instinct, and the knowledge of how vulnerable his queen was.
Kiera watched him leave in shock. She wanted to go to him, to comfort away whatever emotion caused his expression to tighten and him to flee. Instinct or self-preservation kept her in her seat as she watched him leave the dining room. As if summoned the handful of guards that had come with them trickled down to get their breakfasts. Kiera tried to ignore the odd coincidence that they were all seated around her.
"I wonder what set him off.." Kiera whispered mostly to herself. Alessi's mood was odd that morning but only agitated after Luca arrived. "Did you say something to him?"
"No, I particularly like my head attached to where it is dear cousin. Warlord Princes are.. well, I wouldn't even dare try to puzzle out his inner workings as a mere Prince." Kiera rolled her eyes at Luca's overly dramatic statement. She was well aware of Alessi's caste, which played into why she wanted to soothe him. Kiera couldn't blame caste as the complete factor of why she enjoyed their subtle challenges, the quiet interactions, and the fact that his presence reassured her rather than terrified her.
"Hmph. Well, what's done is done. I was promised a shopping trip and I am behind on Winsol gifts." Kiera forced her tone back to her cultivated bubbly carefree tone. Vapid and uninterested in the pursuits of her caste; the outer mask kept her safe from her family and any danger their attention would have placed her in. Only now, the mask chafed. It didn't sit exactly right after having had the chance for her opinions and thoughts to influence policy.
"Shopping it is, then we need to head back. I know an order when I hear it." Luca grinned before digging into his meal, seemingly oblivious to Kiera's pensive thoughts as she took careful little bites of her toast stretching her meal long enough for her guards to finish before allowing her plate to be taken away.
Alessi knew he was pushing his mount hard putting as much distance between Kiera and himself as possible. The rut could only be held back for so long and he knew that he was riding on a knife's edge between turning around and taking her. The image of her face tipped upwards, cupped in her cousin's hands taunted him. Would her expression be abashed, frightened, or welcoming if it were his hands?
"Damn it" The curse left him as he debated abandoning the horse to take the webs. He needed to hold it together long enough to let Matteo know he was taking a few days. Thankfully his second was also a warlord prince; one who would understand the grip of rut; of how hard the pull was on Alessi that remaining near his vulnerable queen was too dangerous. Even if every instinct fought him on leaving her unprotected. The thought wasn't rational. She had guards, a full first circle, and her cousin to keep her safe, yet he still struggled to continue his pace back to the district capital.
Left alone to his thoughts, the sound of his horse's hooves crunching against the dirt and stone track, time passed at a crawl. He found himself obsessively checking the skyline to position the sun. Thoughts of turning back to make certain Kiera and the rest were on their way as instructed intruded until he found himself singing nursery rhymes in his head to keep the unwanted thoughts out.
Finally, as the sun started to creep towards its downward path the edges of the city showed on the horizon. Close enough that the short ride to the manor house was tolerable and yet infinitely long. Alessi handed his horse off to the waiting groom with a soft grunt of acknowledgment; barely looking at the juvenile before storming up the steps and towards his office.
The fact that Matteo met him in the hallway told Alessi just how sharp his temper had become that his second was alarmed enough to seek him out. Alessi paused before opening the door to his office and stepping through, allowing the older warlord prince the opportunity to remain outside or enter.
"Take the time you need." Matteo broke the looming silence between them, punctuating over the fierce scrape of Alessi's pen across the thick stationery. "I have made arrangements to shore up our biggest vulnerability." The last sentence was added carefully. Each word weighed as Matteo waited to see how Alessi would interpret the statement.
"Which one? We have several big ones." Alessi managed to keep his tone even and bored as he finished his list of tasks that needed attention while he was gone; caught in the cruel grip of biology. Not for the first time in his life he wondered why Mother Darkness had given him the double-edged caste when being a prince or warlord would have been easier.
"Lady Domani and her virgin night. I was able to vet a warlord with sufficient experience and a good reputation for these things to see her through." Matteo managed not to flinch when the pen in Alessi's hand snapped in half. Any sense of fear was pushed back as he kept his tone neutral. He understood Alessi's position; after all, if it were his wife in a similar position when they were courting- he would want to snap the neck of anyone who touched her too.
"You are too volatile and you know it. Once this is handled she will be safer for all of us." Matteo finished, watching as the frost around Alessi grew into a pool that encased his entire desk. He waited calmly as the frost fell back and the other warlord prince appeared to breathe again.
"I can't talk about this. Give me the days needed to run through this rut and we can address it then." His voice came as a rasping growl. No longer cold and collected the image of his queen's upturned-faced cupped by some unknown male's hands only added to the internal demand that he find her and stake his claim. An unspoken need that she was wrapped in his psychic scent so thoroughly that no one could doubt she was his rode over any rational thought.
"Go." At that Matteo finally backed away from the door, unsurprised as Alessi fled it like the hounds of hell were on his heels. He could only hope that his friend maintained control enough to seek out a pleasure house or other venue to ride this out and didn't hunt down their little queen. While he was fond of Lady Domani, Alessi's well-being came first and he wasn't certain how well the warlord prince would take things if he hurt her. No, the virgin night would happen while Alessi was occupied so everything was resolved before the possessive male could complicate things further.
"Send for Mirella " Matteo addressed one of the pages that roamed the halls carrying messages from different members of the court to their various destinations throughout the manor and town. The tension slowly drained from his body as the ominous weight of Alessi's jewel power faded from the manor.
Kiera was exhausted by the time they returned to the manor. She was certain there wasn't a surface on her body that wasn't coated in travel dust. Despite having ridden her mount on the way back, her butt and thighs ached from the strain of remaining mounted. The sight of home brought a sensation of relief along with her longing for a long hot bath.
Once they reached the front of the house. Kiera gave a soft little groan, waiting for Luca to come and help her down. Her dismount wasn't exactly graceful as she mostly slid down the poor gelding's side. Only her cousin's hands wrapped quickly around her waist kept her from crumpling to the ground.
"Oof, you really need to practice this." Luca groused as he supported her weight long enough for her to find her balance once more. Her fingers curled around his arm, teetering for a moment with too stiff legs. She was done with horseback travel, next time it would be a coach, or cart, anything but astride a horse.
"Not riding anything again." She groused as they took the slow steps towards the house. "At least we made it on time. Prince Gerodi would have shit kittens if we were late and threw off his schedule." She managed to tease, secretly looking forward to seeing her prickly master of the guard.
"True, though let's get you smelling less like a horse and more like yourself again before we go to tempting fate with a male known to be less than tolerant of the distaff sex." Luca chided her as he gave an exaggerated sniff of her hair. The braid had long ago given up its fight and dusty rogue curls shrouded her face, making her look like the bedraggled waif instead of Queen meant to rule this district and in time the entire territory.
"Hush you. A gentleman would pretend not to notice such a thing." Her playful admonishment with a mock sniff of indignation displayed her improved mood. As they made their way down the hall her stride loosened and became more graceful as her tight muscles released their cramped position.
"There is only so far good manners go." He taunted in return, earning a soft laugh. As they headed for the main staircase Kiera paused, tempted to first walk past Alessi's office. Luca's gentle tug brought her up the stairs. At first glance having Illario walking towards her wouldn't have seemed strange. The odd tension the warlord carried threw her, even if he attempted a slight smile to reassure her.
"Oh, good to see you. Please let Prince Gerodi know we have arrived." Kiera smiled as she gave a polite nod to her first circle guard.
"He isn't here. He is away for a few days. He left me as temporary captain." He motioned for the duo to proceed down the hallway. Kiera tried not to show the disappointment she felt that Alessi was away. Her teeth worried at her lower lip in thought as Luca opened the door to her room, pausing long enough to make certain no one was inside before motioning her in.
"I am going to get that bath running and leave you to bathe on your own," Luca stated briskly as he walked into the bathroom doing his best to ignore the sudden drop in her spirits. "Stop looking so serious. Remember we promised to day drink and enjoy our lack of responsibilities together." Luca taunted her about vows made over what seemed lifetimes ago.
Kiera snorted in amusement before slipping her shoes off to leave on the tiled floor of the bathroom where they wouldn't leave behind too much debris. Her fingers worked through her braid loosening the knotted tresses as the sound of the tub filling broke any silences in their conversation. Her mind continued to wander back to the strange mood that Alessi had been in when she last saw him.
"Good thing we ran out of good wine then, since responsibilities have caught up with us." She teased back, her smile forced as she moved towards the tub. Her fingers probed the surface to check the temperature. Normally the perfect temperature she added just a little more heat with basic craft.
"Well, before they bite down on us today I am going to get my bath." Luca playfully rumpled her hair, only making the shorter strands stand up on their ends outside the longer lengths. "Also, we need to get that hair of yours trimmed up. You are looking scruffy" He teased, ducking as she tossed a sponge at his head.
"Impossible wretch.." She called at him before waiting for the door to her room to open and close once more before undressing and sinking into the water to soak away the grime and exhaustion of the day. Nothing out of the ordinary would happen without Alessi there; it was only a few days and she would see him again and find out what was bothering him.
"Prince Geordi will be back in the next couple of days. Certainly, this can wait.." Kiera protested as she tried to shrink further into the hard chair across from Matteo. Embarrassment heated her cheeks as the conversation seemed too businesslike for a rather intimate event. Kiera understood these things were normally arranged that way, but usually, it was at least someone known.
"It can't. Lady Domani, I understand your hesitancy but it is best to remedy this sooner, rather than waiting. The Prince in question has a good reputation and is experienced with this." Matteo pinned a look on Kiera as she squirmed uncomfortably. Kiera fought back a grimace as she understood that sooner meant that night. A whole twelve hours to wrap her mind around spending the night with a stranger.
"Illario you can't agree..." She looked at her guard. Eyes wide and pleading only to find no succor there. A huff of annoyance escaped her as she looked between the three men. Luca had remained silent with his shoulder propped against the door.
"Don't look at me, I couldn't even if I wanted to. You are pretty just not my brand of pretty." Luca lifted both hands as if warding off the idea of seeing her through the night. Kiera didn't know who she would want to see her through her virgin night, but she knew who she didn't. Faceless strangers and Luca were featured on that list. "You knew it would be this way. It is how it is always arranged for promising witches, Piccola. There can't be any chances taken."
"I know, a broken queen is worthless." She sighed before tipping her head back to tap it against the back of her chair. "Fine. I will trust your judgment" Kiera knew ultimately she had a choice. She could say no, but now was just as good as ever and it was less humiliating with Alessi away.
"Glad we agree. I promise, after this is done it will be safer for you." Matteo's voice was gentle. Kind even, though he kept it just on the professional side of paternal. A distinction Kiera greatly appreciated; it was bad enough that her thoughts and emotions were so turbulent around Alessi. She wasn't certain if she could handle having to juggle another complication.
"I understand. I guess I will go and prepare.." Kiera wasn't certain what sort of preparations she should take. A bath perhaps? Find an appropriate gown outside of her simple cotton nightgown. No; she refused to change her clothing for a single night. Mirella, she could talk to Mirella about what to expect. The hearth witch was the only female she knew and she wanted to at least have an idea of what she would be walking into.
She rose quickly, making a beeline for the door. Her hand lifted to wave off her cousin before he could follow her. She was safe in the manor. Kiera refused to think otherwise. Rebellion soldiers doubled as guards, many of whom she knew on sight. Pages, maids, and other staffers filled the building and added to her security. Her flight led her down the winding hallways until she reached the kitchen.
"Something wrong, Lady?" Mirella looked up from her task. The snick of her knife as it peeled along the potato didn't pause as if the woman had done this precise task thousands of times. Kiera just stood there staring into the mostly deserted kitchen. Her hands fisted at her sides and her mouth opened a few times to try and find words.
"Ah, I see they told you. Come on then." The potato was finally put down as the hearth witch calmly walked over to a large bowl covered with a towel. Bread dough, Kiera surmised as the towel came off and Mirella punched down the dough before rolling it out onto a floured counter. "Come on, the bread needs worked and you need to get some of those nerves out.."
"You knew?" Kiera didn't question it as she paused long enough to wash her hands before going to work on kneading the dough. The warm pliant mass was a distraction as she twisted and pushed it together. The action was soothing as she soon found a rhythm in working the dough.
"I was asked to clean up another room. So I suspected. It isn't that terrible. Over before you even know it and if he is any good you might even enjoy parts of it." Mirella started the conversation that Kiera wasn't certain how to address. The Queen turned the dough and slammed it down a bit more forcefully than necessary.
"Great endorsement of it. Truly leaves me enthused about the whole matter." Kiera drawled out. The faint twitch of her lips turned a dry tone into playful sarcasm. "Anything I should know or do before?" She dusted more flour over the top of the dough before folding it again. The feeling and repetition helped her think. Helped her find words where she just wanted to crawl under her blankets and hide until she couldn't anymore.
"Hmm yes... Tea. He will have been drinking it but you might as well double up. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid. That is what causes the majority of the actual mishaps." Mirella continued the instruction as she watched Kiera torture that poor bread dough. A mixture of craft and physical actions had her pouring and steeping the cup of contraceptive tea.
"I am not in the fertile part of my cycle anyway." At Mirella's surprised look, Kiera shrugged. "I do know how to count days. Eventually, it was expected that I would be married off to better my family name" Another sigh escaped her as she balled up the dough to put back in the bowl for a second rising. The offered mug was taken and her nose wrinkled at the taste of the contents. Dutifully she drank the concoction and placed the empty mug in the sink.
"That was foul." Kiera looked for any ounce of sympathy to find none on the older woman's face. Amusement perhaps, but nothing more. Kiera felt like she was the ass end of some cosmic joke. "If Prince Gerodi..."
"Don't even go that line. He was riding too close to a rut. He shouldn't be here." Mirella cut off Kiera's line of thought firmly. "Him being here would only make it worse. Warlord Princes are notoriously possessive and adding that it would be a recipe for disaster." Admonished Kiera dipped her head meekly. She hadn't thought of that. Was that the cause of his odd mood the day prior? At least she could take some comfort he wasn't upset at something she had said or done.
"You are right, it just feels too businesslike. Then again that is how it was supposed to be right? Always has been." Kiera rambled letting her nervous thoughts ramble. "Just, it feels odd to have a male I have only known for a few months arranging for.."
"Sex, fucking, love making in some instances.." Mirella gave a name to the act itself and Kiera just huffed. Once it was named it was no longer some unspoken specter hanging around her. A laugh escaped Kiera as Mirella continued with more and more absurd names
"Alright, alright I get the picture. I understand that people do it every day." Kiera tried to hold in her giggles but couldn't. At least there was some mirth to be found in a day of stressful and distressing decisions being made. Her Steward was certainly effective at handling court business and her hymen seemed to be part of said business.
Kiera spent her day determined to put off thinking about what would happen that night. Instead, she walked the kitchen garden while it peacefully slumbered beneath the earth. Took a bath and dressed properly for dinner; even allowing for her hair to be styled into something resembling orderly. Dinner was a whole court affair and Kiera was if not dreading then looking forward to having the whole evening put behind her.
The scrape of chairs being pushed back as the men dining rose in respect at her appearance drew her attention to each of the individual faces. All of them she knew but one. The one sitting next to the only empty seat. Her heart fluttered and her breath caught with nerves. Internally, she pulled up the worst of the lurid slang terms Mirella had listed for her and used the humor there to plaster a smile on her lips.
"Lady Domani, it is my pleasure to introduce Lord Ayers." The warlord had the good manners to execute a proper bow. His Summer-sky wasn't too much darker than her light rose. A darker jeweled male was always leaned towards as they could help buffer and keep the witch from destroying her inner webs. Kiera brushed past his looks, outside of the peppering of his thick black hair his features were nondescript. Neither overly handsome nor unpleasant, he simply was agreeable.
"It is good to meet you, Lord Ayers." Kiera fought to keep a childish giggle at bay. So stilted and formally polite to a man who would be seeing her naked soon.
"And you Lady Domani." His reply was mild and tone carefully cultivated to sound calm; reassuring even. His hand curled around her and offered one. His touch not exactly steadying but she wasn't repulsed either. Perhaps this business would not be so terrible. Politely she allowed him to help her into her seat; ignoring how different it was from Alessi who normally had her seat herself while he saw to her plate; focusing on her favorite foods.
"I am sorry if I am quiet Lord Ayers. I just don't think discussions of the weather or forecasts for spring are very applicable in this situation." Her smile was strained and her stomach twisted. Any hunger she felt was banished; chased away by nerves once more rising as the theoretical was made real. Around them, stilted conversations occurred within her first circle. The guards, healers, and other members that made up her twelve each found any sort of conversation they could.
"No, they wouldn't... Here, let me fill your wine cup." He took her glass filling it carefully with a dark red. Once hers was filled, he filled his. Drinking was good, Kiera could use the drink to help relax. Any buzz wouldn't last long but it would be something at least to ease her nervousness. Anything to keep her from seeming a fool to her court.
"Do these conversations ever get less awkward?" She finally asked. Her attention turned toward her court. All of whom seemed to be doing anything they could to avoid glancing her way.
"Never." He replied with a soft chuckle. The warlord prince studied her and the idle pattern she was pushing her food around on her plate, rearranging it more than eating it. "If you aren't in the mood to eat, it is expected. We can end the meal early." He sounded so understanding and for some reason that made it all the worse. He was kind and personable; instead of distant and dispassionate.
"I think. I think that is a wise idea." Kiera looked over to Matteo. The Warlord Prince rose slightly only to sit when Kiera waved him down. " Don't rush your meal on my account." Another brittle smile was offered to the warlord. He was performing a service for the court, she reminded herself. Nothing personal, just a service to aid her court.
Kiera didn't pause as she took measured strides out of the room before practically fleeing to the room she would be using for just this night. A room that had no psychic smells, nothing personal, just an empty comfortably appointed guest room. The gesture was thoughtful as it avoided intrusion on her personal space, or perhaps they didn't want the scent of another male in her rooms for when Alessi returned. Either way, she was grateful.
She looked around the room, her gaze catching on an ewer of wine and two glasses situated on the nightstand beside the bed. Her throat was suddenly dry and the temptation to have another glass of wine nearly overwhelmed her. Kiera forced herself to attend to first things first. Her outer dress was removed and placed neatly over the back of the reading chair situated near the curtained window. Her simple white chemise served as her nightgown, having scandalously gone without the rest of the undergarments tonight it made undressing easier.
Kiera dropped her weight onto the edge of the bed. Undressed she poured wine into both glasses. Internally she coached herself through nerves that had her stomach knotting so fiercely that she was ready to throw up. She took a sip from one of the cups before rising to pace the room. A soft knock on the door broke her stride.
"Lady? Is it alright that I come in?" The voice was placed easily as Prince Ayers.
"Yes, of course.." Her quick reply left no chance for her to refuse. Rip the bandage off. She winced at that mental analogy in this circumstance.
"Don't forget to breathe.." He looked at her pallid features. The way her arms wrapped around herself and her eyes darted around the room as she searched for anything to focus on besides the Prince himself.
"Easier said... Wine?" She turned to grab both glasses, offering him one while she took another deep swallow from hers. Without thinking Kiera again perched on the edge of the bed.
"Of course." He lifted the goblet to his mouth but didn't actually drink but instead watched as she emptied her glass before placing it exactly back where it had been. "Just relax, all we need do is talk for the moment..." He looked away from her; turning his attention out the window for a moment at a passing shadow.
Kiera nodded slightly. "Talking is good.." Did her words slur? Certainly two glasses of wine, or was it three, would not affect her that greatly. Her body swayed where she sat.
"Talking is good. There you go, just relax" His voice changed, from calm and kind to something hard.
"Wait..." Kiera protested even as she felt slumber claim her and her body became lax. She fought for consciousness and was pulled under despite her efforts.
"Good stupid little girl." The last words she heard before the darkness took her completely.